Composting Parcel Health’s Tully Tube: An Ultra Sustainable Approach to Medication Packaging
In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, Parcel Health is leading the charge with its innovative Tully Tube - a paper pill bottle designed with safety and sustainability at its core. Today, we're excited to share how you can take your eco-friendly efforts a step further by composting the paper components of each Tully Tube after use. This approach not only reduces waste but also contributes to a healthier planet.
Why Composting Beats Recycling for Prescription Pill Bottles
Traditional amber plastic pill bottles pose significant recycling challenges. In simple terms, many recycling facilities just can't process these small containers. When patients learn about this reality, especially those who take medications daily, there’s their frustration grows. Pharmacy owners, pharmaceutical medication companies and pharmacists have long-time agreed that there has to be a sustainable way to safely deliver medications. When any of these stakeholders learn about how easy it is to recycle and compost the materials used to make each Tully Tube, there’s often a sigh of relief or surprise.
The Composting Process - It’s Possible Because It’s Paper
Its paper construction is the foundational reason why Tully Tube offers a more environmentally friendly disposal option. While it still requires a quick, 3-step process to deconstruct its materials, the 30-second process is worth the trouble, given how easy it becomes to recycle and compost those materials. Once you've prepared your Tully Tube, you can add its paper parts to your home compost bin. All of the components can be added to your curbside recycling bins, as per your local guidelines.
Here's why composting works so well for paper packaging:
Natural materials: Parcel Health’s smallest size of Tully Tube is made with 47% paper, which by its nature is biodegradable.
Faster decomposition: Paper breaks down much quicker than plastic, typically within 3-6 weeks in a well-maintained compost pile.
Nutrient contribution: As the paper decomposes, it adds carbon to your compost, balancing the nitrogen from food scraps.
Benefits of Composting Tully Tubes
By composting your Tully Tubes, you're contributing to a healthier environment in several ways:
Reduced landfill waste: Composting diverts waste from landfills, where it would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Composting also keeps the material local. Unlike recycling that may happen elsewhere or even need to be shipped to a far away location, composting usually happens in our backyard or community.
Soil enrichment: The resulting compost improves soil structure, enhances moisture retention, and provides nutrients for plants. Composting 1 ton of paper save the equivalent of 17 mature trees.
Carbon sequestration: Compost helps lock carbon in the soil, aiding in the fight against climate change.
How to Separate Tully Tube for Recycling and / or Composting
Follow these simple steps to prepare your Tully Tube for composting:
Remove & Pull
Remove the plastic cap and pull out cap adapter. The cap and cap adapter are not compostable, but can be curb-side recycled with other plastics.
Peel
Remove the prescription label: For privacy and safety, always remove and shred the prescription label before disposal.
Place Paper in Compost Pile or in Curbside Recycling Containers with Remaining Components
For best and faster composting, you can break down the paper tube. Paper can be recycled curbside, too, along with the cap and cap adapter, as per your local guidelines.
A Step Towards Sustainable Healthcare
At Parcel Health, we believe that every small action counts. By choosing our Tully Tube and composting it after use, you're not just disposing of a pill bottle - you're participating in a larger movement towards sustainable healthcare practices. This simple act of composting 47% of your medication packaging is a powerful statement about the kind of world we want to live in and leave for future generations.
Remember, while composting is an excellent option for our paper Tully Tubes, it's crucial to dispose of unused medications properly. Always check with your local pharmacy or healthcare provider for safe medication disposal guidelines.
Together, we can fill medicine cabinets with safe parcels, not plastics. Let's continue to innovate, educate, and act for a greener, healthier planet - one Tully Tube at a time. That’s why we like to call our Tully Tubes parcels with a purpose.
Resources:
EPA
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home#backcom
Good Start Packaging
https://www.goodstartpackaging.com/composting-vs-recycling-differences-benefits/?srsltid=AfmBOorFznDT1TDWSBk1EPHyWJ9w3ZkEN9tMV2bdlt-pRAk4bENekl8T
Medium
https://medium.com/core-matter/10-reasons-why-composting-is-better-than-recycling-6d695d60b5d3